I've updated my post with the ngram for "cocktail, cocktail hour, cocktail party, cocktail lounge", from 1850-2008: http://goo.gl/EBXM87
You'll find that as with the others I've cited, it shows a rapid and dramatic growth during Prohibition, to levels not achieved previously, and which have been maintained since.
Subsequent peaks in 1953, 1985, and 2002.
I'm aware that "appearance in print" is only a proxy for cultural prevalence. But it's a good one.
Part of the problem here is that cocktail meant a fairly specific band of mixed drinks in pre-prohibition days, but it grew into a generic catch all. Drinks which would have had a specific term back them (e.g. Flip) would show up on a cocktail list today
Are you aware of another widely-used signifier for mixed drinks that could be used?
I'm aware of some European uses (mostly liqueurs) that may date to earlier. Premium, or even non-premium, alcohol consumption habits really aren't a personal specialty.
Hi - in the 100-200 year ago range you'd probably need to search for all the subcategories which today would just get pushed under "cocktail". I don't know of a single term which would embody that concept from back then.
You'll find that as with the others I've cited, it shows a rapid and dramatic growth during Prohibition, to levels not achieved previously, and which have been maintained since.
Subsequent peaks in 1953, 1985, and 2002.
I'm aware that "appearance in print" is only a proxy for cultural prevalence. But it's a good one.